Getting ready to glue the header bar in the front of the '65. I'm planning to "locate" it by using the headlight end plates, but was wondering if anyone knew the approximate distance from the hood opening edge to the back of the header bar, just as a cross check.

Thanks - Greg

 

I just checked my '65 Convertible and the Coupe, and both of them are measuring 1 1/4" from the edge of the hood opening to the back of header "down turned leg". I measured all along the hood opening and this measurement was consitant across the opening.
I hope this helps !!

 

Thanks for the measurement ... unfortunately that's WAY different than what I get on mine. Mine has an aftermarket 1-piece section across the front (which may not be an all that faithful reproduction), but with the headlight end plates (outers only) installed I can "almost" get the header far enough forward that the rolled edge on the header bonding strip starts the roll just even with the edge of the hood opening. That gives me just under 3/4" from the back vertical edge of the steel reinforcement to the hood opening. I can see the bonding strip overhang all along the hood opening, it isn't completely "under" the body skin.

The left outer headlight end plate holes were greatly enlarged by a prior owner. The right outer headlight end plate has what looks to be just the original "factory" slot size. If I push the header all the way forward on the side with the enlarged slots I might get to 1" from the header to the hood lip. At present I have both sides set to match the smaller (correct ?) slots in the right side piece. I've cut back the front corner bonding strips to make sure they aren't under the edge of the end plates. If I rough fit the inner end plates it looks like they will line up the same as the outer end plates with the header in it's current position.

Thanks - Greg (forgot to log-in as myself on Julie's computer)


[Modified by Juliet, 2:59 PM 12/27/2001]

 

The header bonding strip will be 1/8 to 1/4 inch inside the rolled edge of the surround panel.

 

When the car gets let back into the garage (Julie evicted it to work on her '87 ... at least the '87's car cover also fits the '65) I'll do some more measuring and fitting. I may have some other mis-match from the repro nose addition to track down, as I can get the header bar bonding strip about 1/4" inside the hood opening lip at the outer ends, but the bonding strip still extends slightly into the hood opening at the center.

Thanks - Greg